Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley was among
the community leaders participating in the first Summer of Love
campaign event.

The campaign is part of the effort to
repeal Oregon's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment which
limits marriage to heterosexual couples. Marriage equality advocates
hope to put the issue before voters in 2014.

Merkley was joined by several hundred
volunteers at the event held in the basement of Sunnyside Church in
Portland.

“This isn't about restricting or
trying to keep other people out of it,” said Teresa Harke,
spokeswoman for Protect Marriage Oregon, which opposes marriage
equality. “It's about respecting what marriage is – a separate
union that deserves its own name.”